Nam Son survives thanks to the forest.

(Baoghean) -With a total area of ​​5,847 hectares of natural forest, the resources from the forest are becoming a strength in economic development in the remote commune of Nam Son (Quy Hop). As the commune chairman, Luong Van Long, put it, after much effort, the people of Nam Son are now "making a living" thanks to the forest...

Leading us on a tour of the vast, self-contained forests, Mr. Long explained that achieving what it has today was a long and arduous process. Nam Son, once considered a "timber warehouse" in the southwestern part of Quy Hop district, suffered greatly from deforestation. The practice of clearing forests for farming only began to slow down in 1995 and completely ceased in 2000. Since then, the Nam Son forest has regained its green color.

The road to Nam Son (Quy Hop).

Besides other benefits, these lush bamboo forests begin to yield bamboo shoots. From April to August (lunar calendar), during their leisure time between farming seasons, the villagers go into the forest to harvest bamboo shoots. The harvested shoots are boiled, dried, and transformed into a marketable product. It is estimated that the income from bamboo shoot harvesting brings Nam Son about 2 billion VND per year, averaging 5 million VND per household. It is no longer uncommon for households to earn over 20 million VND per harvest from bamboo shoot harvesting.

Along with bamboo shoots, the Nam Son forest has also provided local people with additional income from forest honey and medicinal plants. Some fruits, leaves, and vines with medicinal properties have been gathered by locals to sell to traders on order. It is known that during this season, each person can earn at least 100,000 VND per day searching for bamboo shoots and medicinal plants in the forest.

Areas of degraded forest have gradually been replanted with hybrid acacia trees by the local people. Hybrid acacia trees have taken root in Nam Son for nearly 10 years. Pioneering households that brought hybrid acacia to Nam Son include Mr. Vi Van Thuy (Tang village), Mr. Mac Van Long (Cha Hang village), Mr. Luong Van Tho (Quang village)... The first harvest of acacia trees by households like Mr. Vi Van Thuy yielded a net profit of over 100 million VND. According to Chairman Luong Van Long, in the past three years alone, over 100 hectares of hybrid acacia have been planted, and it is estimated that the entire commune has planted over 20 hectares this year.

For generations, Nam Son has relied on the forest for its livelihood, but the difference lies in the changing mindset of its people. From indiscriminate exploitation, the villagers have consistently and unanimously agreed to say no to deforestation for slash-and-burn agriculture, illegal logging, and charcoal production. Everyone is working together to escape poverty and achieve legitimate wealth!

Cao Duy Thai